Edward Eli Withey (Photo courtesy Missouri State Highway Patrol)

Man charged with murdering wife, facing charges in Daviess County, after assaulting inmate at Daviess-DeKalb Regional Jail

A Higbee man has been charged in Daviess County with two counts of felony third-degree assault after allegedly assaulting another detainee at the Daviess-DeKalb Regional Jail in August. Twenty-one-year-old Edward James Elijah Withey’s bond was set at $35,000 cash only. He is to submit to any form of alcohol or drug testing immediately upon the […]

Earnest Johnson scheduled to be executed by the State of Missouri today (October 5, 2021)

Missouri executes Ernest Johnson by lethal injection

(Missouri Independent) – Missouri carried out the death sentence of Ernest Johnson Tuesday evening, ending his life with an injection of pentobarbital at the state prison in Bonne Terre. Johnson’s case drew national attention in recent weeks, with a range of public figures — from former Gov. Bob Holden to Pope Francis — urging Missouri Gov. […]

Student Loan Application (Photo by Nick Youngson via Creative Commons)

Democrats’ vision for free community college would boost undocumented students

(Missouri Independent) – The massive economic policy package Democrats are trying to muscle through Congress could open the door to free community college for undocumented immigrants. But that lifeline for many people now denied access to higher education could also reignite controversies in Republican-leaning states over immigration and federal overreach. The provision on immigrants was […]

Abortion news graphic

Missouri Supreme Court mulls challenge to laws that blocked abortion bill vote

(Missouri Independent) – Making people who want to force a statewide vote on newly passed laws wait while the Secretary of State writes a ballot title undermines the constitutional right of referendum, attorneys for an abortion-rights group argued Wednesday to the Missouri Supreme Court. A ballot title was “not necessary for most of Missouri history,” […]

Dreamer photo courtesy of Unsplash

Biden administration rolls out new rule to bolster DACA as lawsuit continues

(Missouri Independent) – The Biden administration on Monday unveiled a proposed new rule that would strengthen the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program to protect undocumented people in the program from legal challenges. The proposed rule, announced by the Department of Homeland Security, would “preserve and fortify” the DACA program, an Obama administration-era initiative that protects […]

Child Care

USDA and HHS launch resource guide to help rural communities increase access to child care services

United States Department of Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Justin Maxson and Department of Health and Human Services Deputy Assistant Secretary for Early Childhood Development Katie Hamm today unveiled a joint resource guide (PDF, 3.5 MB) to help people in rural and Tribal communities increase access to child care services. “Access to quality, affordable […]

Monoclonal Antibody graphic

State of Missouri extends monoclonal antibody treatment contract

 Governor Mike Parson announced that Missouri’s six state-contracted monoclonal antibody treatment sites will be operational for an additional 30 days. “Monoclonal antibody treatments have been successful for many COVID-19 patients and have allowed us to lessen the strain on Missouri’s health care systems,” Governor Parson said. “However, this treatment is not a replacement for the vaccine. Encouraging more […]

Missouri Governor Mike Parson

Governor Parson announces three appointments to various boards, fills two county office vacancies

Governor Mike Parson announced three appointments to various boards and commissions and filled two-county office vacancies. Teresa Creek, of Memphis, was appointed as the Scotland County Recorder of Deeds.  Ms. Creek has served as the Deputy Recorder for the Scotland County Recorder of Deeds Office since 2019. Prior to joining the Recorder’s Office, she worked as […]

Immigration

Immigration reform blocked from reconciliation bill in Congress, but Democrats vow to try again

(Missouri Independent) – The U.S. Senate parliamentarian has turned down a plan to include a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented people in the $3.5 trillion reconciliation package, a blow for Democrats and immigration advocacy groups when the decision was disclosed late Sunday. “We are deeply disappointed in this decision but the fight to […]

Pleasant View R-6 School

Pleasant View Board of Education approves field trips, Superintendent reports on building projects

The Pleasant View R-6 Board of Education on September 14th approved field trips. Third through fifth grades will attend the Lathrop Heritage Festival on October 8th. Preschool through fourth grades will attend Grundy County R-5’s Agriculture Day on September 29th. Superintendent Rebecca Steinhoff went over building projects, including new paint in the sixth through eighth […]